A group of residents in southern Vietnam has earned a reputation for its grassroots philanthropy by extending a helping hand to the poor and building bridges for the local community.

The group consists of just over a dozen people in O Mon District of Can Tho, a major city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

If the members know that a poor family is living in a dilapidated house, they will come to meet the household for a greater understanding of their situation before deciding to work out a support plan and build a new house.

The group averagely creates six wooden homes every month, each costing about VND10 million (US$430).

To facilitate the public-spirited cause, an enthusiastic member known as Le Van Loan used his own money to erect a workshop and buy saws and other pieces of carpentry equipment so that timber can be shaped more conveniently.

The most strenuous part of preparing lumber is cutting down trees and carrying them to the facility, Loan said.

The group has received money and construction materials from multiple donors who believe in their sincere kindness, and so far built over 200 wooden houses from the donations.

Providing safer shelters is not their only act for the community.

The group serves as a reliable center for gathering financial support from local people.

Thanks to the group’s effort, over a hundred bridges ranging in cost from VND50 million ($2,150) to VND300 million ($12,900) apiece have been constructed in the city, which is traversed by a number of rivers.

They also give care to lonely old people and cover funeral expenses for families too poor to hold a ceremony for their deceased relatives.

Loan said the credit for helping others in dire need goes to many people, including those who chip in money to build a house or are involved in the construction itself.

“I feel extremely happy whenever a house is built for poor people,” Loan said.

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